‘Deadpool & Wolverine’: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman talk spoilers
Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman chat with USA TODAY film critic Brian Truitt about the fun they had filming “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
Spoiler alert! We’re discussing important plot points and the ending of “Deadpool & Wolverine” (in theaters now), so beware if you haven’t seen it yet, bub.
Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine have made themselves at home in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, bringing F-bombs, so much violence, some of their friends and even a wife.
Director Shawn Levy’s “Deadpool & Wolverine” partners the two frenemies – who were fan-favorite characters from Fox’s superhero films before making their Disney debut in this movie – for a meta mission of multiversal consequence. The Time Variance Authority plucks Deadpool from his world and gives him a chance to be a real hero alongside the Avengers in Earth-616 (aka “the sacred timeline” of the MCU), even as the Merc With a Mouth learns that his Earth-10005 is about to be no more, thanks to a contraption called the Time Ripper.
Well, that won’t do. Deadpool finds a Wolverine from another Earth where the clawed X-Man failed to be a hero at the right time, and the two go on a cameo-filled, banter-laden mission to save both their worlds.
Let’s dig into all the best spoilers, from who exactly is playing Lady Deadpool to what happens in the obligatory post-credits scene.
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What happens in the ending of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’?
TVA jerk Mr. Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen) sends Deadpool and Wolverine to the Void, a purgatorial wasteland ruled by powerful telepath (and Professor X’s twin sister) Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin). After a road trip where the two heroes work through some feelings and meet new allies (more on them in a bit), the pair forces Cassandra to send them home to Earth-10005. But Cassandra follows them and takes control of the Time Ripper to wipe out every Earth in the multiverse and leave only the Void.
Deadpool and Wolverine risk their lives to thwart Cassandra’s plans by sabotaging the Time Ripper, dooming Cassandra and saving Deadpool’s Earth. When Wolverine is told he can’t go back in time to save his own Earth, he stays with Deadpool in his for the happy ending.
Who has the best cameos? (And what are Henry Cavill and Chris Evans doing here?)
There are many, many characters who show up in “Deadpool & Wolverine” – and quite a few famous faces. These are the best of the best:
- Henry Cavill as the Cavillrine! When Deadpool goes on an Earth-hopping quest to find the right Wolverine, he’s shocked to run into one played by Henry Cavill, an actor many fans want as the new Wolverine after Warner Bros. got rid of him as DC’s Superman. “On behalf of all humanity, this just feels right. We’re going to treat you so much better than those (expletive) down the street,” Deadpool says, just before the Cavillrine growls, “You were just leaving” and punches Deadpool back into his time portal.
- Chris Evans flames on again as Human Torch! Soon after they’re sent to the Void, Deadpool comes across a mystery man who looks and sounds a lot like Captain America – the Avenger Deadpool likens to “the superhero equivalent of comfort food.” But instead of Cap yelling “Avengers assemble!” it’s Johnny Storm – Evans’ role in Fox’s 2000s “Fantastic Four” movies – saying “Flame on!” Deadpool is disappointed, they’re captured by Cassandra’s henchmen, and Cassandra ends up murdering Johnny by ripping off his skin. “Not my favorite Chris,” Deadpool cracks.
- Blade, Elektra and X-23 are back! As they’re venturing through the Void, Deadpool and Wolverine come across a bunch of superheroes from past non-Disney Marvel movies: Blade (Wesley Snipes) from the “Blade” trilogy, Elektra (Jennifer Garner) of “Daredevil” and “Elektra” fame, and X-23 (Dafne Keen) from “Logan.” They’re joined by another guy we’ve never seen before: Channing Tatum finally gets to play Gambit, a member of the X-Men that Tatum would have portrayed in a movie that never got made.
So who is Lady Deadpool and is it Taylor Swift?
Because of her closeness with Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively, there were rumors of Taylor Swift making a cameo, perhaps as Dazzler from the X-Men. She’s not in it but Lively is, playing the masked, ponytailed Lady Deadpool. There’s a whole Deadpool Corps that shows up in this movie, including gunslinging Cowboypool (Matthew McConaughey), the decapitated Headpool (Nathan Fillion) and maskless Nicepool (Reynolds), a helpful and good-natured guy despised by the actual Deadpool.
Is there a post-credits scene in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’?
Of course there is, though it’s more of a laugh than a tease to Deadpool and Wolverine’s MCU future. Johnny Storm has been gruesomely killed by Cassandra after Deadpool explains that he said some seriously awful, NSFW stuff about the supervillain not fit to be published by your national newspaper. Deadpool gets blamed for making that up, but in the post-credits scene, he goes back to the TVA and shows secret camera footage of Johnny saying all that stuff. “Gotcha,” Deadpool says.